World Today Panel: An immigration war in America?
Jun 13, 2025
Join Joseph Siracusa, a professor of Global Futures specializing in American history, and Andy Mok, a senior research fellow focused on US-China relations, as they dive into the escalating immigration conflict in California. They discuss the impact of federal raids on immigrant families and the controversial deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. The conversation highlights ideological divides reminiscent of historical conflicts, the fallout on political relationships, and the implications for upcoming elections. It's a compelling look at the current state of immigration politics.
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Deep Ontological Rift in America
- The immigration conflict reflects an ontological rift where two large American groups see reality fundamentally differently.
- This deep divide risks escalating into enduring violence or civil war if not bridged.
LA as Immigration Battlefield
- Los Angeles is a strategic choice for immigration enforcement due to its large undocumented population and history of protests.
- Trump personalizes the conflict, using LA to test his immigration policy amid long-standing local tolerance for undocumented workers.
California as Immigration Magnet
- California's Hispanic population and proximity to Mexico make it a major magnet for illegal immigration.
- Both sides hold incompatible realities: right sees demographics as a threat, left views immigration more leniently.